Techniques for a unified demodulation reference signal pattern for various multiplexing schemes

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for demodulation reference signal (DMRS) communication are described. The method and apparatus include determining a DMRS pattern for at least two multiplexing schemes. In some aspects, the at least two multiplexing schemes may include orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and single carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM). Further, in some aspects, the DMRS pattern may correspond to a continuous tone pattern in each subframe transmitted in accordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM. Additionally, in some aspects, the DMRS pattern may correspond to a comb tone pattern in each subframe transmitted in accordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM. The method and apparatus further include transmitting a DMRS in accordance with at least one of the two multiplexing schemes and based on the DMRS pattern.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/397,732, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR A UNIFIED DEMODULATIONREFERENCE SIGNAL PATTERN FOR VARIOUS MULTIPLEXING SCHEMES” and filed onSep. 21, 2016, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of this disclosure relate generally to wireless communicationnetworks, and more particularly to techniques for transmitting a unifieddemodulation reference signal (DMRS) pattern for various multiplexingschemes in a wireless communication network.

Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide varioustelecommunication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging,and broadcasts. Typical wireless communication networks may employmultiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication withmultiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., bandwidth,transmit power). Examples of such multiple-access technologies includecode division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multipleaccess (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA)systems, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems,single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems.

These multiple access technologies have been adopted in varioustelecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enablesdifferent wireless devices to communicate on a municipal, national,regional, and even global level. For example, fifth generation (5G) NewRadio (NR) communications technology is envisaged to expand and supportdiverse usage scenarios and applications with respect to current mobilenetwork generations. In an aspect, 5G communications technology includesenhanced mobile broadband addressing human-centric use cases for accessto multimedia content, services and data; ultra-reliable-low latencycommunications (URLLC) with strict requirements, especially in terms oflatency and reliability; and massive machine type communications for avery large number of connected devices and typically transmitting arelatively low volume of non-delay-sensitive information. As the demandfor mobile broadband access continues to increase, however, there existsa need for further improvements in 5G communications technology andbeyond. Preferably, these improvements should be applicable to othermulti-access technologies and the telecommunication standards thatemploy these technologies.

As the number of packets being transmitted increases with 5G, techniquesare needed to provide efficient and improved process when communicatingDMRS during wireless communications. In certain instances, as the nextgeneration of wireless communications come into existence, more flexiblemultiplexing may be desired in order to ensure adequate or improvedlevels of wireless communications. Thus, improvements in DMRScommunication during wireless communication are desired.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In some aspects, a method relates to demodulation reference signal(DMRS) communication. The method includes determining a DMRS pattern forat least two multiplexing schemes. The method further includestransmitting a DMRS in accordance with at least one of the twomultiplexing schemes and based on the DMRS pattern.

In some aspects, an apparatus for DMRS communication includes a memoryand a processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be configuredto determine a DMRS pattern for at least two multiplexing schemes. Theprocessor may further be configured to transmit a DMRS in accordancewith at least one of the two multiplexing schemes and based on the DMRSpattern.

In some aspects, an apparatus for DMRS communication includes means fordetermining a DMRS pattern for at least two multiplexing schemes. Theapparatus further includes means for transmitting a DMRS in accordancewith at least one of the two multiplexing schemes and based on the DMRSpattern.

In some aspects, a computer-readable medium storing computer executablecode for DMRS communication includes code for determining a DMRS patternfor at least two multiplexing schemes. The computer-readable mediumfurther includes code for transmitting a DMRS in accordance with atleast one of the two multiplexing schemes and based on the DMRS pattern.

Various aspects and features of the disclosure are described in furtherdetail below with reference to various examples thereof as shown in theaccompanying drawings. While the present disclosure is described belowwith reference to various examples, it should be understood that thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill inthe art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additionalimplementations, modifications, and examples, as well as other fields ofuse, which are within the scope of the present disclosure as describedherein, and with respect to which the present disclosure may be ofsignificant utility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome more apparent from the detailed description set forth below whentaken in conjunction with the drawings in which like referencecharacters identify correspondingly throughout, where dashed lines mayindicate optional components or actions, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a wireless communication networkincluding an aspect of an reference signal component for wirelesscommunications in accordance with one or more exemplary aspects.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of demodulation reference signal (DMRS)patterns in accordance with one or more exemplary aspects.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of further DMRS patterns in accordancewith one or more exemplary aspects.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method of DMRScommunication in a wireless communication system in accordance with oneor more exemplary aspects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known components are shown in blockdiagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts. In an aspect,the term “component” as used herein may be one of the parts that make upa system, may be hardware or software, and may be divided into othercomponents.

The present aspects generally relate to demodulation reference signal(DMRS) communication in a wireless communication system. Specifically,DMRS is a type of reference signal that provides modulation/demodulationinformation related to a communication channel (e.g., physical uplinkcontrol channel (PUCCH) and/or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH))to a network entity for accurate or coherent decoding of communicationstransmitted via the communication channel. For example, DMRS may becommunicated in accordance with or otherwise for various multiplexingschemes. The various multiplexing schemes may include, but are notlimited to, orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and/orsingle carrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM). For eachmultiplexing scheme, a DMRS may be communicated based on a distinct DMRSpattern. As such, for each multiplexing scheme, a distinct pilot and/ordata channel may be used for communication.

However, such communication structures may be redundant as a single DMRSpattern may be applied to or used for two or more multiplexing schemes.Accordingly, such implementation allows for more flexible user equipment(UE) multiplexing to facilitate multiplexing of a UE communicating usingOFDM with another UE communicating using SC-FDM in the same radiobearer. Further, such implementation may allow for more flexiblemulti-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) communication suchthat specific or different multiplexing schemes are associated with orused for communication on distinct layers. Additionally, datachannelization may be simplified such that separate pilot and/or datachannels may not be used for different multiplexing schemes.

Accordingly, in some aspects, the present methods and apparatuses mayprovide an efficient solution, as compared to conventional solutions, bycommunicating a DMRS for two or more multiplexing schemes based on thesame DMRS pattern. In other words, in the present aspects, a UE and/ornetwork entity may efficiently and effectively communicate DMRS usingvarious multiplexing schemes using a unified DMRS pattern. As such, thepresent aspects provide one or more mechanisms for determining a DMRSpattern for at least two multiplexing schemes. The present aspectsfurther provide one or more mechanisms for transmitting a DMRS inaccordance with at least one of the two multiplexing schemes and basedon the DMRS pattern. Specifically, in some aspects, the DMRS may betransmitted based on a waveform (e.g., SC-FDM or OFDM) using a combbased DMRS tone structure associated with one or both of SC-FDM or OFDM.

Referring to FIG. 1, in an aspect, a wireless communication system 100includes at least one user equipment (UE) 115 in communication coverageof at least network entities 105. The UE 115 may communicate with anetwork via network entity 105. In an example, the UE 115 may transmitand/or receive wireless communication to and/or from the network entity105 via one or more communication channels 125, which may include anuplink communication channel (or simply uplink channel bandwidth region)for transmission of data from the UE 115 to the network entity 105 and adownlink communication channel (or simply downlink channel bandwidthregion) for transmission of data from the network entity 105 to the UE115, such as but not limited to an uplink data channel and/or downlinkdata channel, a control channel. Such wireless communications mayinclude, but are not limited to, data, audio and/or video information.Moreover, in an example, the wireless communications between the UE 115and the network entity 105 may include 5G NR communications.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the UE 115 may include amemory 44, one or more processors 20 and a transceiver 60. The memory44, one or more processors 20 and the transceiver 60 may communicateinternally via a bus 11. In some examples, the memory 44 and the one ormore processors 20 may be part of the same hardware component (e.g., maybe part of a same board, module, or integrated circuit). Alternatively,the memory 44 and the one or more processors 20 may be separatecomponents that may act in conjunction with one another. In someaspects, the bus 11 may be a communication system that transfers databetween multiple components and subcomponents of the UE 115. In someexamples, the one or more processors 20 may include any one orcombination of modem processor, baseband processor, digital signalprocessor and/or transmit processor, or any other processor that may,for example, determine a DMRS pattern for at least two multiplexingschemes and transmit a DMRS in accordance with at least one of the twomultiplexing schemes and based on the DMRS pattern.

Additionally or alternatively, the one or more processors 20 may includea reference signal component 130 for carrying out one or more methods orprocedures described herein. In an aspect, the term “component” as usedherein may be one of the parts that make up a system, may be hardware,firmware, and/or software, and may be divided into other components. Thereference signal component 130, and each of its subcomponents, maycomprise hardware, firmware, and/or software and may be configured toexecute code or perform instructions stored in a memory (e.g., acomputer-readable storage medium). In an aspect, network entity 105 mayalso include the reference signal component 130.

In some examples, the UE 115 may include the memory 44, such as forstoring data used herein and/or local versions of applications orcommunication with reference signal component 130 and/or one or more ofits subcomponents being executed by the one or more processors 20. Thememory 44 can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by acomputer or processor 20, such as random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), tapes, magnetic discs, optical discs, volatile memory,non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In an aspect, forexample, the memory 44 may be a computer-readable storage medium (e.g.,a non-transitory medium) that stores one or more computer-executablecodes defining reference signal component 130 and/or one or more of itssubcomponents, and/or data associated therewith, when the UE 115 isoperating one or more processors 20 to execute reference signalcomponent 130 and/or one or more of its subcomponents. In some examples,the UE 115 may further include a transceiver 60 for transmitting and/orreceiving one or more data and control signals to/from the network viathe network entity 105. The transceiver 60 may comprise hardware,firmware, and/or software and may be configured to execute code orperform instructions stored in a memory (e.g., a computer-readablestorage medium). The transceiver 60 may include a first radio accesstechnology (RAT) radio 160 (e.g. UMTS/WCDMA, LTE-A, WLAN, Bluetooth,WSAN-FA) comprising a modem 165, and a second RAT radio 170 (e.g., 5G)comprising a modem 175. The first RAT radio 160 and second RAT radio 170may utilize one or more antennas 64 for transmitting signals to andreceiving signals from the network entity 105. In some examples, thetransceiver 60 may only include the second RAT radio 170.

For example, the UE 115 may include the reference signal component 130,which may be configured to facilitate communication of the DMRS 140 forvarious multiplexing schemes using a unified DMRS pattern. Specifically,the reference signal component 130 may include a DMRS pattern 134determination component 132, which may be configured to determine a DMRSpattern 134 for both of a first multiplexing scheme 136 and a secondmultiplexing scheme 138 based on a waveform (e.g., SC-FDM or OFDM). Thatis, the DMRS pattern 134 may be dependent on a selection of the firstmultiplexing scheme 136 or the second multiplexing scheme 138. In someaspects, the first multiplexing scheme 136 may be or otherwisecorrespond to SC-FDM, and the second multiplexing scheme 138 may be orotherwise correspond to OFDM.

In particular, the DMRS pattern determination component 132 may beconfigured to determine or otherwise utilize a continuous tone patternas part of or corresponding to the DMRS pattern 134 in each subframetransmitted in accordance with both the first multiplexing scheme 136(e.g., SC-FDM) and the second multiplexing scheme 138 (e.g., OFDM). Insuch instance, the DMRS pattern 134 may correspond to an SC-FDM DMRSpattern as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the DMRS pattern 134 may be basedon an SC-FDM structure for not only SC-FDM, but also OFDM. As such, theDMRS 140 may be transmitted on continuous DMRS tones for both SC-FDM(first multiplexing scheme 136) and OFDM (second multiplexing scheme138).

The DMRS pattern determination component 132 may be configured todetermine or otherwise utilize a comb based tone pattern as part of orcorresponding to the DMRS pattern 134 in each subframe transmitted inaccordance with both SC-FDM (first multiplexing scheme 136) and OFDM(second multiplexing scheme 138). In such instance, the DMRS pattern 134may correspond to an OFDM DMRS pattern as shown in FIG. 3. That is, theDMRS pattern 134 may be based on an OFDM structure for not only OFDM,but also SC-FDM. Accordingly, the DMRS 140 may be transmitted on combbased DMRS tones for both SC-FDM (first multiplexing scheme 136) andOFDM (second multiplexing scheme 138).

In some aspects, a comb based tone pattern may interlace or interleavethe DMRS 140 with at least one of data associated with the same UE 115as the DMRS 140, or another DMRS associated with another UE. Forexample, the DMRS 140 may be transmitted on one subcarrier out of every‘X’ subcarriers, where ‘X’ may be any integer value greater than one.This may result in the DMRS being transmitted on evenly spacedsubcarriers occupying a comb-like structure. Data may be transmitted onthe remaining subcarriers that are not used for the DMRS.

However, in some aspects, for transmissions according to SC-FDM (firstmultiplexing scheme 136), the data tones may be left empty or unoccupiedas part of transmitting the DMRS 140. On the other hand, fortransmissions according to OFDM (second multiplexing scheme 138), datamay be transmitted on the data tones as part of transmitting the DMRS140. Further, for an OFDM based transmission structure adopting a combbased tone DMRS pattern 134, the DMRS pattern 134 may be used forcommunication on both the uplink and downlink.

The UE 115 may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as amobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit,a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, awireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriberstation, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, aremote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, orsome other suitable terminology. The UE 115 may be a cellular phone, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wirelesscommunication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptopcomputer, a cordless phone, a wearable item such as a watch or glasses,a wireless local loop (WLL) station, or the like. The UE 115 may be ableto communicate with macro eNodeBs, small cell eNodeBs, relays, and thelike. The UE 115 may also be able to communicate over different accessnetworks, such as cellular or other WWAN access networks, or WLAN accessnetworks.

Additionally, as used herein, the one or more wireless nodes, including,but not limited to, network entity 105 of wireless communication system100, may include one or more of any type of network component, such asan access point, including a base station or node B, an eNodeB a relay,a peer-to-peer device, an authentication, authorization and accounting(AAA) server, a mobile switching center (MSC), a radio networkcontroller (RNC), etc. In a further aspect, the one or more wirelessserving nodes of wireless communication system 100 may include one ormore macro and/or small cell base stations, such as, but not limited toa femtocell, picocell, microcell, or any other base station having arelatively small transmit power or relatively small coverage area ascompared to a macro base station.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conceptual diagram 200 of a DMRS pattern 134 forboth the first multiplexing type 136 and the second multiplexing type138. For example, the first multiplexing type 136 (e.g., SC-FDM) and thesecond multiplexing type 138 (e.g., OFDM) may use a continuous tonepattern as part of or corresponding to the DMRS pattern 134 in eachsubframe transmission (e.g., subframes 204 and 208). Further, data 202may be included in one or more data tones along subframe 204 and data206 may be included in one or more data tones within subframe 206. Assuch, a unified DMRS pattern 134 may be based on an SC-FDM structure forboth the first multiplexing type 136 (e.g., SC-FDM) and the secondmultiplexing type 138 (e.g., OFDM).

FIG. 3 illustrates a conceptual diagram 300 of a respective DMRS pattern134 for both the first multiplexing type 136 and the second multiplexingtype 138. For example, the first multiplexing type 136 (e.g., SC-FDM)and the second multiplexing type 138 (e.g., OFDM) may use a comb basedtone pattern as part of or corresponding to the DMRS pattern 134 in eachsubframe transmission (e.g., subframes 304 and 308). In some aspects,for transmissions according to the first multiplexing scheme 136 (e.g.,SC-FDM), the data tones may be unoccupied or empty as part oftransmitting the DMRS 140. However, for transmissions according to thesecond multiplexing scheme 138 (e.g., OFDM), data may be transmitted onthe data tones as part of transmitting the DMRS 140. Additionally, foran OFDM based transmission structure adopting a comb based tone DMRSpattern 134, a unified DMRS pattern 134 may be used for communication onboth the uplink and downlink. As such, a unified DMRS pattern 134 may bebased on an OFDM structure for both the first multiplexing type 136(e.g., SC-FDM) and the second multiplexing type 138 (e.g., OFDM).

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating examples of methods related toformatting sub-headers of a PDU with various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Although the operations described below are presented in aparticular order and/or as being performed by an example component, itshould be understood that the ordering of the actions and the componentsperforming the actions may be varied, depending on the implementation.Also, although the reference signal component 130 is illustrated ashaving a number of subcomponents, it should be understood that one ormore of the illustrated subcomponents may be separate from, but incommunication with, the reference signal component 130, and/or eachother. Moreover, it should be understood that any of actions orcomponents described below with respect to the reference signalcomponent 130 and/or with subcomponents of the reference signalcomponent 130 may be performed by a specially-programmed processor, aprocessor executing specially-programmed software or computer-readablemedia, or by any other combination of a hardware component and/or asoftware component specially configured for performing the describedactions or components.

In an aspect, at block 402, a method 400 may determine a DMRS patternfor at least two multiplexing schemes. In an aspect, for example, the UE115 (FIG. 1) and/or the reference signal component 130 (FIG. 1) mayexecute the DMRS pattern determination component 132 (FIG. 1) todetermine a DMRS pattern 134 (FIG. 1) for at least two multiplexingschemes (e.g., first multiplexing scheme 136 and second multiplexingscheme 138, FIG. 1).

In some aspects, the at least two multiplexing schemes may include OFDMand SC-FDM. Further, in some aspects, the DMRS pattern 134 maycorrespond to a continuous tone pattern in each subframe transmitted inaccordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM. Additionally, in some aspects, theDMRS pattern 134 corresponds to a comb tone pattern in each subframetransmitted in accordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM.

Further, at block 404, the method 400 may transmit a DMRS in accordancewith at least one of the two multiplexing schemes and based on the DMRSpattern. In an aspect, for example, the UE 115 (FIG. 1) may execute thereference signal component 130 and/or the transceiver 60 to transmit aDMRS 140 (FIG. 1) in accordance with at least one of the twomultiplexing schemes and based on the DMRS pattern 134.

In some aspects, transmitting the DMRS 140 in accordance with SC-FDM mayinclude transmitting the DMRS 140 including one or more unoccupied orempty data tones within at least one subframe based on the DMRS pattern134 corresponding to the comb tone pattern. Further, in some aspects,transmitting the DMRS 140 in accordance with OFDM may includetransmitting the DMRS 140 including one or more occupied or full datatones within at least one subframe based on the DMRS pattern 134corresponding to the DMRS comb tone pattern.

In some aspects, the DMRS 140 may be transmitted on a single radiobearer in accordance with the at least one of the two multiplexingschemes (e.g., one of SC-FDM or OFDM) along with another DMRS on theradio bearer in accordance with another one of the two multiplexingschemes (e.g., the other of SC-FDM or OFDM). Moreover, in some aspects,each of the at least two multiplexing schemes may be associated with adistinct multi-input multi-output (MIMO) layer, and transmitting theDMRS in accordance with at least one of the two multiplexing schemes mayinclude transmitting the DMRS on the distinct MIMO layer associated withthe at least one of the two multiplexing schemes. In some aspects,transmitting the DMRS may include transmitting on at least one of anuplink communication channel or a downlink communication channel.

In some aspects, an apparatus or any component of an apparatus may beconfigured to (or operable to or adapted to) provide functionality astaught herein. This may be achieved, for example: by manufacturing(e.g., fabricating) the apparatus or component so that it will providethe functionality; by programming the apparatus or component so that itwill provide the functionality; or through the use of some othersuitable implementation technique. As one example, an integrated circuitmay be fabricated to provide the requisite functionality. As anotherexample, an integrated circuit may be fabricated to support therequisite functionality and then configured (e.g., via programming) toprovide the requisite functionality. As yet another example, a processorcircuit may execute code to provide the requisite functionality.

It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using adesignation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not generallylimit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, thesedesignations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishingbetween two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, areference to first and second elements does not mean that only twoelements may be employed there or that the first element must precedethe second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise a setof elements may comprise one or more elements. In addition, terminologyof the form “at least one of A, B, or C” or “one or more of A, B, or C”or “at least one of the group consisting of A, B, and C” used in thedescription or the claims means “A or B or C or any combination of theseelements.” For example, this terminology may include A, or B, or C, or Aand B, or A and C, or A and B and C, or 2A, or 2B, or 2C, and so on.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm stepsdescribed in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement thedescribed functionality in varying ways for each particular application,but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present disclosure.

The methods, sequences and/or algorithms described in connection withthe aspects disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in asoftware module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two.A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory,EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Anexemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that theprocessor can read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor.

Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure can include a computer readablemedium embodying a method for dynamic bandwidth management fortransmissions in unlicensed spectrum. Accordingly, the disclosure is notlimited to the illustrated examples.

While the foregoing disclosure shows illustrative aspects, it should benoted that various changes and modifications could be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined by theappended claims. The functions, steps and/or actions of the methodclaims in accordance with the aspects of the disclosure described hereinneed not be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, althoughcertain aspects may be described or claimed in the singular, the pluralis contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of demodulation reference signal (DMRS)communication, comprising: determining a DMRS pattern for at least twomultiplexing schemes; and transmitting a DMRS in accordance with atleast one of the two multiplexing schemes and based on the DMRS pattern.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two multiplexing schemesinclude orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and singlecarrier frequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM).
 3. The method of claim2, wherein the DMRS pattern corresponds to a continuous tone pattern ineach subframe transmitted in accordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM. 4.The method of claim 2, wherein the DMRS pattern corresponds to a combtone pattern in each subframe transmitted in accordance with both SC-FDMand OFDM.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein transmitting the DMRS inaccordance with SC-FDM includes transmitting the DMRS including one ormore unoccupied data tones within at least one subframe based on theDMRS pattern corresponding to the comb tone pattern.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein transmitting the DMRS in accordance with OFDM includestransmitting the DMRS including one or more occupied data tones withinat least one subframe based on the DMRS pattern corresponding to theDMRS comb tone pattern.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein transmittingthe DMRS includes transmitting the DMRS on a radio bearer in accordancewith the at least one of the two multiplexing schemes along with anotherDMRS on the radio bearer in accordance with another one of the twomultiplexing schemes.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the atleast two multiplexing schemes is associated with a distinct multi-inputmulti-output (MIMO) layer, and wherein transmitting the DMRS inaccordance with at least one of the two multiplexing schemes includestransmitting the DMRS on the distinct MIMO layer associated with the atleast one of the two multiplexing schemes.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein transmitting the DMRS includes transmitting on at least one ofan uplink communication channel or a downlink communication channel. 10.An apparatus demodulation reference signal (DMRS) communication,comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory andconfigured to: determine a DMRS pattern for at least two multiplexingschemes; and transmit a DMRS in accordance with at least one of the twomultiplexing schemes and based on the DMRS pattern.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the at least two multiplexing schemes includeorthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and single carrierfrequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM).
 12. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the DMRS pattern corresponds to a continuous tone pattern ineach subframe transmitted in accordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM. 13.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the DMRS pattern corresponds to acomb tone pattern in each subframe transmitted in accordance with bothSC-FDM and OFDM.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein to transmit theDMRS in accordance with SC-FDM, the processor is further configured totransmit the DMRS including one or more empty data tones within at leastone subframe based on the DMRS pattern corresponding to the comb tonepattern.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein to transmit the DMRS inaccordance with OFDM, the processor is further configured to transmitthe DMRS including one or more occupied data tones within at least onesubframe based on the DMRS pattern corresponding to the DMRS comb tonepattern.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein to transmit the DMRS,the processor is further configured to transmit the DMRS on a radiobearer in accordance with the at least one of the two multiplexingschemes along with another DMRS on the radio bearer in accordance withanother one of the two multiplexing schemes.
 17. The apparatus of claim10, wherein each of the at least two multiplexing schemes is associatedwith a distinct multi-input multi-output (MIMO) layer, and wherein totransmit the DMRS in accordance with at least one of the twomultiplexing schemes, the processor is further configured to transmitthe DMRS on the distinct MIMO layer associated with the at least one ofthe two multiplexing schemes.
 18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein totransmit the DMRS, the processor is further configured to transmit on atleast one of an uplink communication channel or a downlink communicationchannel.
 19. An apparatus for demodulation reference signal (DMRS)communication, comprising: means for determining a DMRS pattern for atleast two multiplexing schemes; and means for transmitting a DMRS inaccordance with at least one of the two multiplexing schemes and basedon the DMRS pattern.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at leasttwo multiplexing schemes include orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM) and single carrier frequency-division multiplexing(SC-FDM).
 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the DMRS patterncorresponds to at least one of: a comb tone pattern in each subframetransmitted in accordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM, or a continuoustone pattern in each subframe transmitted in accordance with both SC-FDMand OFDM.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means fortransmitting the DMRS in accordance with SC-FDM includes means fortransmitting the DMRS including one or more empty data tones within atleast one subframe based on the DMRS pattern corresponding to the combtone pattern.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means fortransmitting the DMRS in accordance with OFDM includes means fortransmitting the DMRS including one or more occupied data tones withinat least one subframe based on the DMRS pattern corresponding to theDMRS comb tone pattern.
 24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the meansfor transmitting the DMRS includes means for transmitting the DMRS on aradio bearer in accordance with the at least one of the two multiplexingschemes along with another DMRS on the radio bearer in accordance withanother one of the two multiplexing schemes.
 25. A computer-readablemedium storing computer executable code for demodulation referencesignal (DMRS) communication, comprising: code for determining a DMRSpattern for at least two multiplexing schemes; and code for transmittinga DMRS in accordance with at least one of the two multiplexing schemesand based on the DMRS pattern.
 26. The computer-readable medium of claim25, wherein the at least two multiplexing schemes include orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and single carrierfrequency-division multiplexing (SC-FDM).
 27. The computer-readablemedium of claim 26, wherein the DMRS pattern corresponds to at least oneof: a comb tone pattern in each subframe transmitted in accordance withboth SC-FDM and OFDM, or a continuous tone pattern in each subframetransmitted in accordance with both SC-FDM and OFDM.
 28. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the code for transmittingthe DMRS in accordance with SC-FDM includes code for transmitting theDMRS including one or more empty data tones within at least one subframebased on the DMRS pattern corresponding to the comb tone pattern. 29.The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the code fortransmitting the DMRS in accordance with OFDM includes code fortransmitting the DMRS including one or more occupied data tones withinat least one subframe based on the DMRS pattern corresponding to theDMRS comb tone pattern.
 30. The computer-readable medium of claim 25,wherein the code for transmitting the DMRS includes code fortransmitting the DMRS on a radio bearer in accordance with the at leastone of the two multiplexing schemes along with another DMRS on the radiobearer in accordance with another one of the two multiplexing schemes.